Get hopped up on the sugar of 10 countries among other delicaciesthisweekend.
CIRCUS
Ringling Bros. “Out of This World”
This show will literally be “Out of This World” — the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is closing up the big top after its final national tour, after a 146-year run. It’s coming to the Barclays Center this week, which is your last local chance to catch its famous clowns, animals and acrobats. The show’s cast spans 20 countries, and features ice skating for the very first time, in a new tale of good versus evil. Feb. 23-March 3, 620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, $16-$150 CONVERSATION
Redefining “Native New Yorker”
How can you tell if someone’s a New Yorker? They’ll tell you! Jokes aside, your definition of what it means to be a New Yorker might change after Ryan “Little Eagle” Piece’s talk about the Lenape Indian tribe at City Reliquary. Hawaii’s Kaina Quena is a transplant who’s keeping hula culture alive in the Big Apple, and Levys’ Unique New York tour company explores diversity in the five boroughs. Feb. 23, 7:30-10 p.m., City Reliquary Museum, 370 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn, $10 FOOD
There’s little better than a nice glass of wine and a well-done charcuterie board. Finally, someone had the sense to make a charcuterie competition in order to get to the very best of the boards, and it went so well they’re bringing it back. Charcuterie Masters sees chefs facing off against amateurs to find the world’s best meat plates, and guests get to taste the results and vote on People’s Choice. In addition to wine, you can sip craft beers and ciders while judges crown the winners. Feb. 24, 6-10 p.m., Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Queens, $60-$180 MUSIC
Dubbed the “next best thing” to seeing Johnny Cash himself (RIP), Alex Battles has been throwing the ultimate (and always sold-out) night to honor the birth of the Man in Black since 2005. Along with his band The Whisky Rebellion, this party is always a fittingly raucous and emotional tribute. Feb. 24 & 25, doors at 8 p.m, show at 9:30 p.m., Littlefield, 622 Degraw St., Brooklyn, $15-$20 FOOD
Mardi Gras Madness Crawfish Boil
You don’t need to plan a trip to New Orleans to capture the spirit of Jazz Fest or Mardi Gras — it’s coming right to your own backyard at the Hall at MP in Williamsburg for three evenings of Southern-style crawfish dining, plus live music and drinks. It kicks off with a happy hour from 6-7 p.m. featuring half-off New Orleans beer and craft cocktails, followed by as much dancing as you can fit in between bites. Feb. 24, 25 & 28, 6 p.m., The Hall at MP, 470 Driggs St., Brooklyn, $15-$35 ARTS
Free press is a really good thing for democracy, guys. But you don’t have to take our word for it — check out this new exhibit at Ground Floor Gallery, where artists of any experience level were invited to submit original pieces about freedom of expression and the First Amendment. Those selected are being displayed and sold, with proceeds going toward the Committee to Protect Journalists. Feb. 24-26, 6-8:30 p.m., 343 Fifth St., Brooklyn, free MUSIC
It feels way too fresh to be true, but five years have passed since Whitney Houston’s sudden death shook millions of fans around the world. Her musical legacy is being celebrated by two divas in their own right, “America’s Got Talent” semifinalist Alice Tan Ridley and the Bronx’s own Ayanna Irish, accompanied by a full band for a tribute concert at the Highline Ballroom this Saturday night. Feb. 25, 8 p.m., $20-$35, 431 W. 16th St. FOOD
If you never stopped loving Pocky, this snack blitz is for you. In one hour, you can try some of the most unusual and best snacks from 10 countries, including Korea, Mexico, Japan, Italy, China, Thailand, France and more. There might even be something you don’t recognize from another state over. Kids get to pick and sample five snacks, and adults can select 10. The Znackers World Snack Tour invites you to broaden your munchies horizon and consider its monthly snack delivery service. Feb. 25, 4-5 p.m., 48 Wall Street, $10-$20 RESIST
Queer and Trans Dance Party Protest
This week’s reversal of the Obama administration’s bathroom protections for trans kids is just the latest in eroding equality protections for the LGBTQ community. To show the administration the loving and vibrant community he’s marginalizing, protesters are staging a four-hour dance party in front of Trump Tower between 55th and 56th streets this Sunday to show tyranny how freedom of expression gets down. “Bring your rainbows, sparkles and rave gear, and party down!” Feb. 26, 6-10 p.m., 725 Fifth Ave., free FOOD
Ganesh Temple, the first Hindu house of worship in the U.S., is best known for its magnificently carved 50-foot tower rising above an otherwise ordinary residential block in Flushing. A close second in fame is its basement canteen serving authentic Tamil Nadu fare starring the dosa, a crepe made from fermented rice and lentils. See the temple and taste your way through the menu, plus specialties normally reserved for weddings, with Queens Dinner Club next tuesday. $35, Feb. 28, 7:15-10:15 p.m., 45-57 Bowne St., Queens ARTS
A new immersive version of the murderous barber’s tale is opening at Barrow Street Theatre, which has been converted into a pie shop with the option to eat dinner while you watch. It opens this week, though tickets are already tight. Hey, in NYC it’s competitive to dine while “The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” and his pals surround you with their cannibalistic chaos. March 1-Aug. 13, 27 Barrow St., $125-$145 DEBATE
Are Charter Schools Overrated?
Despite our best efforts, Betsy DeVos was confirmed as the Secretary of Education. But is that really such a bad thing? Four people who actually know the difference between proficiency and growth take the stage to debate the merits of charter schools. Speakers include professors, politicians and other education professionals taking pro and con stances on DeVos’ most significant agenda item. March 1, 6:45-8:45 p.m., Kaufman Center, 129 W. 67th St., $40 ARTS
Part of New York’s Art Week, The Art Show kicks off next Wednesday and runs through the weekend at the Park Avenue Armory. The Art Dealers Association of America is bringing a curated collection from 72 of the country’s leading galleries, with experts on hand to interact with both studied collectors and appreciative enthusiasts. March 1-5, Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave., $25
Snack fest, defining a New Yorker, the last circus and more things to do in NYC
Bronwen Sharp
